Exploring the relationship between health system reform and decisions by businesses to offer health coverage

Employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI) forms the backbone of the American health care system -- employers shoulder approximately 25 percent of our national health care spending and provide coverage to more than 175 million Americans. But there is ample evidence that this important source of health financing is eroding. This project will examine this keystone of the American health care system from the employer's point of view through two approaches: (1) in-depth case studies analyzing corporate health care strategies of three types of businesses trying to address health care issues; and (2) analysis of employer tradeoffs to provide further insight into companies' existing motivations for offering health coverage and to examine how changes in health policy may affect American businesses' economic stability and potential for growth. The project will help inform the debate about health care coverage from the employers' perspective. It will result in written reports that will be disseminated by the Center for American Progress to media, business publications and trade media and at public events.